City Comparison
Red Deer vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Red Deer scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Red Deer
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Red Deer is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Red Deer | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,459 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,329 | $2,451 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Red Deer is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Red Deer | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,250 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,054 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Red Deer runs warmer on average — a 39.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Red Deer comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Red Deer sees 43.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Red Deer | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 70.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 2.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Red Deer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Red Deer scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Red Deer leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Red Deer | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Red Deer.
From a growth perspective, Red Deer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Red Deer | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,409 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.00% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Red Deer
Advantages
Average home purchase and rental costs are significantly more affordable than major hubs like Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Extensive park and trail systems, including over 100 km of paved pathways through Waskasoo Park, offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
Strategic location along the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor provides robust economic connectivity and short commute times.
A massive $1.8 billion hospital expansion is underway to dramatically enhance regional healthcare and cardiac treatment capacity.
Thriving local economy with strong employment bases in healthcare, education, construction, and manufacturing.
Drawbacks
Property and vehicle-related crime rates remain higher than the national median, requiring standard urban safety awareness.
Winters feature prolonged periods of deep cold, typical of central Alberta's continental climate zone.
Public transit utility is limited outside of core routes, making car ownership a near necessity for most residents.
Deregulated provincial energy markets can lead to significant seasonal volatility in monthly utility bills.
Pockets of rental market tightness can occur during peak economic growth cycles in central Alberta.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Red Deer
#40Alberta, Canada
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,459
Avg Salary
$55,250
Cost Index
92
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
39.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.00%
Unemployment
7.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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